Plenty of changes as Pines, Mt Eliza, Mornington and Co chase Frankston YCW

PENINSULA powerhouse Frankston YCW is eyeing a three-peat this season, but rivals have other ideas.

Peninsula league Grand Final - Frankston YCW v Mornington Pictured is Frankston YCW celebrating their win Picture: Paul Loughnan

BONBEACH

Coach: Steve Hughes.

Co-captains: Gary Carpenter and Jackson Casey.

Last year: 7-10-1 (7th).

Ins: Jacob Flannery (Narre Warren), Robbie Lancaster (Chelsea), Shane McDonald (Mooroopna), James Murnane (St Bede’s), Joel Rippingale (Coreen Daysdale Hopefield Buraja), Shelton Rosario (Springvale Districts), Michael Turville (Dingley), Ash Waterstone (Dromana), Jack Williams (Dingley).

Outs: Nathan Robinson (Tooronga Malvern), Robbie Ferraro (retired).

Coach says: “One thing I’m certain of is that we are fit. We’ve worked the boys incredibly hard across the pre-season and they have been excellent with both attendance and attitude.’’

CHELSEA

Coach: Brett Dunne (new).

Co-captains: Todd Gardiner and James Sivijs.

Last year: 4-14 (8th).

Ins: James Brain (Corowa), Jordan Tabakman (Ormond), Josh Tripcony (Edi-Asp), Beau Caia (Shepparton), Lachlan Dunne (Springvale), Ben Holman (Eaglehawk), Lewis Krieger (Ferntree Gully), Steven Vos (Chelsea Heights), David Willett (Mt Eliza).

Outs: Daine Taylor (Toora), Matthew Ponton (Dingley), Ryan Stewart (Dingley), Robbie Lancaster (Bonbeach), Jayden Attard (Toora).

Coach says: “We have recruited well and are fortunate to have a quality group of under 19s from 2015 who have been training really well and they have embraced the opportunity. We will be very young but we have been able to work really hard over the summer under our fitness coach Chris McTaggart and we think our fitness is where it needs to be. We are really excited with the atmosphere and attitude around our club in 2016.’’

EDI-ASP

Coach: Graeme Yeats.

Captain: Steve Mannix.

Ins: Chris Wylie (Wonthaggi), Joel O’Sullivan (Mornington), Brendan Neville (Pearcedale), Jeremy Heys (East Brighton), Elliot McGuire, Andrew Luxa (East Brighton), Brad Langenberg (Chelsea), Dan McCarthy (Parkdale).

Outs: Matt Clark, Brett O’Hanlon, Jarrod Garth, Bradley Tagg.

Coach says: “Each team would say they have had a productive pre-season, and we are comfortable with ours.

There are some who have written us off due to certain players leaving, but I can assure you we are not looking back with regret. All of our recruits are very good players who have added to our squad with their steely commitment…I have been very impressed with the ‘buy in’ to the harder work we have done on the track.’’

FRANKSTON YCW

Coach: Scott Mathers.

Captain: Jie Coghlan.

Last year: 18-3 (Premiers).

Ins: Sam Widdowson (Sandringham), Shane Reid (St Kilda City).

Outs: Ben Tellis (retired), Michael Debenham (Frankston VFL).

Coach says: “The focus of our off-season was to retain the majority of our list from the previous season, which we have been able to do. We are hopeful that young players like Zinzi Mossimane, Jack Greenwood, Tom Capp and Ben Wagner keep developing and start to put some real pressure on senior players for spots in our side. After a long summer on the track, the health of our list is pretty good. We certainly can’t wait for the season to start, which will then be the best indication, as to whether the group is still as driven, as they have been in the past.’’

Former Sorrento spearhead Leigh Poholke has joined Karingal. Picture: David Trend

KARINGAL

Coach: Michael Triep (new).

Captain: Aaron Paxton.

Last year: 0-18 (Bottom).

Ins: Leigh Poholke (Sorrento), Chris Hay (Tarwin), Cal Dixon (Somerville), Harry Czarnecki (Seaford), Anthony Joel (Rye), Rhys Chadwick (Allies), Michael Boswell (Seaford), Duncan Proud (Frankston Bombers), Tyler Black (Frankston Bombers), Matt Tarr (Carrum), Duke Jenkin (Carrum), Luke Duhig (Devon Meadows), Trent Fallon (Diamond Creek), Matt Banfield (Carrum), Andru Plakourakis (Rye), Liam Joel (Cobram), Scott Simpson (Heatherton).

Outs: nil

Coach says: “It’s shaping up well heading into Rd 1 versus Langwarrin. Hoping to be competitive this year and continue to develop our youngsters moving forward.’’

LANGWARRIN

Coach: Brad Dredge (new).

Captain: Matthew Naughton.

Last year: 8-9-1 (6th).

In: Sean Ulbrick (Heatherton).

Outs: Rikki Johnston (Dromana), Jarryd Amalfi (Frankston Bombers), Mitch Gill-Furness (Dromana), Ethan Rahilly (Tyabb), Simon Rahilly (Tyabb), Matt Dimkos (retired), Dale Eames (Hurstbridge).

Coach says: “There’s a lot of unknown factor about Langwarrin at the moment and to be honest I’m not too unhappy about us going in as an unknown. It’s been a very enjoyable and a very united pre-season. The guys have put in the hard yards.’’

MORNINGTON

Coach: Chris Holcombe.

Last year: 14-8 (Runner-up).

Ins: Brad Harvey (Burnie), Dean Karies (Crib Point), Jason Gardner (Waverley).

Outs: Mick Gay (retired), Danny Nolan (retired), Adam Symes (Heidelberg), Dale Nolan (Heidelberg), Ben Wells (Frankston).

Coach says: “Our core group of young players have put in a great pre-season and shown some real improvement. We’ve lost some experience over the summer but we will be quicker and fitter than we were last year. Early indications are showing that we should be very competitive again this season.’’

MT ELIZA

Coach: Troy Shannon (new).

Captain: Sam Gill.

Last year: 16-4 (3rd).

Ins: Matthew Stanley (Rowville), Matthew Jackson (Rowville), Dan Gormley (Dromana), Jay Neratzglou (Caulfield Grammarians ), Matt Neratzaglou (Dromana), Dave Hand (Warrandyte), Anthony Vanin (ROC).

Outs: Scott Lockwood (Sorrento), Jake Egan (Sorrento), Blair Whelan (Bendigo), Dave Willet (Chelsea).

Coach says: “Some good recruits with leadership and experience and some subtle changes to key people at the club, on and off the field, has me excited about the year ahead.’’

Seymour star Paul Scanlon will boost Pines’ midfield. Picture: Colleen Petch.

PINES

Coach: Paddy Swayn.

Last year: 11-7-1 (5th).

Captain: Beau Hendry.

Ins: Tim Bongetti (Seymour), Paul Scanlon (Seymour), Jack Fisher (North Cairns), Brad Kiely (Dandenong Stingrays), Matt Kiely (Langwarrin), Jayden Canepa (Frankston YCW), Damien Moody (St Kilda City).

Outs: Shaun White (Nilma Darnum), Brenton Cowell (ROC).

Coach says: “After playing finals for the first time in 11 years last season the club is continuing to work hard to consolidate a top five position.’’

SEAFORD

Coach: Ben Murphy (new).

Co-captains: Josh Stokes and Dean Williamson.

Last year: 4-14 (9th).

Ins: Kyle Matthews (Blackburn), Matty Andrews (Tongala), Curtis Murfett (Launceston), Luke Newton (Sandown), Jackson Mockett (Pearcedale).

Outs: Luke Smith (Hastings), Ben Crowe (Somerville), Harry Czarnecki (Karingal), Michael Boswell (Karingal).

Coach says: “It’s a really good challenge. I’ve taken on a young group that is willing to listen and buy in. It’s been enjoyable so far.’’